Kick lets you switch on paid subscriptions after just 5 hours of streaming and pays streamers 95% of subscription revenue, which makes it fast to start earning. Twitch is the bigger, longer-running home for live creators, with an Affiliate step, then a Partner programme that adds Bits, ad revenue, 60-day VOD storage and priority support. Pick Kick to monetise early; pick Twitch for its audience and creator tools.
I read Kick's help centre articles on becoming a streamer, getting verified and joining the Kick Partner Program, plus Twitch's Partner and About pages, as of October 2026. Streamers usually ask me two things: how soon can I earn, and where will people find me? The two platforms answer those very differently.
Kick and Twitch side by side
| Kick | Twitch | |
|---|---|---|
| First paid step | KICK Streamer status after 5 hours streamed in total | Affiliate, before the Partner Program |
| Subscription split | Streamers receive 95% of subscription revenue (the 95/5 split) | Not stated on the Partner page I read |
| Subscription options | Paid subscriptions once you're a KICK Streamer | $5.99, $9.99, $24.99 or a Prime Gaming free subscription |
| Next tier | Verified, then the KICK Partner Program | Twitch Partner Program |
| Partner perks | Revenue per stream through the Partner Program | Bits at 1 cent per Bit, a share of ad revenue, up to 50 emotes |
| Past broadcasts | 3 VODs in 30 days is one Partner metric | VODs kept 60 days for Partners, 14 days for Affiliates |
| Free to stream (as of October 2026) | Free to go live | Yes, free to stream |
How quickly you can earn on Kick
The first milestone on Kick is low. Stream for at least 5 hours, and the hours can be spread over several days. That makes you a KICK Streamer, and the Enable Subscriptions button appears in your dashboard. Kick says streamers receive 95% of the subscription revenue they generate, which it calls the 95/5 split. You can track your progress under Achievements.
After that come two harder steps. Verification asks for 15 hours streamed in the past 30 days, an average of 50 concurrent viewers, 100 unique chatters and 10 active subscriptions. The KICK Partner Program, which lets creators earn revenue per stream, wants a verified channel, an average of 75 concurrent viewers, 30 hours streamed, 25 active subscriptions, 250 unique chatters, 3 VODs and at least 250 followers, all in the past 30 days. Kick says those metrics are still being refined.
What Twitch Partners get
Twitch describes itself as the place where millions of people come together live every day, across games, music, talk shows, sports and Just Chatting. Its Partner Program is the step up from Affiliate. Partners earn from channel subscriptions at $5.99, $9.99 or $24.99, or a Prime Gaming free subscription, and can add up to 50 channel emotes.
There's more on top. Twitch gives Partners 1 cent for every Bit viewers use to Cheer for them, plus a share of ad revenue, with control over mid-roll length and frequency. Partner VODs stay up for 60 days instead of 14, support replies within 1-2 business days, and Partners get guaranteed quality options for viewers and a broadcast delay of up to 15 minutes.
Another place to watch live is covered in our guide to live streams on YouTube.
Choosing where to go live
- Brand new and want to test earning? Kick's 5-hour threshold gets subscriptions switched on fastest.
- Care most about discovery and community features? Twitch's long-standing audience and categories are the draw.
- Plan to stream full time? Compare Kick's Partner metrics with Twitch's Partner perks, such as Bits and ad share.
- Repurpose your streams? Twitch Partners keep VODs for 60 days, which gives you longer to clip highlights.
- Unsure? Stream on one platform for a month and track viewers and chatters before you commit.
If you're aiming for Twitch, here's what Twitch looks for in a Partner and how much Twitch keeps from subscriptions.
My advice on Kick or Twitch
If you're starting from zero and want proof that people will pay to support you, I'd go to Kick first: 5 hours to subscriptions and a 95% share is a low bar to clear. If you're building a brand that needs to be found, Twitch's size and Partner tools are hard to ignore. Whichever you pick, your schedule and your community matter more than the platform, so stream consistently for a month before you judge it.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you get subscriptions on Kick?
Stream for at least 5 hours in total to reach KICK Streamer status. The Enable Subscriptions button then appears in your dashboard.
What is Kick's revenue split?
Kick says streamers receive 95% of the subscription revenue they generate, through its 95/5 split.
What are the Kick Partner Program requirements?
A verified channel, an average of 75 concurrent viewers, 30 hours streamed, 25 active subscriptions, 250 unique chatters and 3 VODs in the past 30 days, plus at least 250 followers.
How much do Twitch subscriptions cost viewers?
Twitch's Partner page lists $5.99, $9.99 and $24.99 subscriptions, plus the Prime Gaming free subscription.
How long does Twitch keep past broadcasts?
Partners have VODs stored for 60 days, compared with 14 days for Affiliates.
